Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

AussieStart Pty Ltd ("AussieStart," "we," "our," or "us") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website, mobile application, and services (collectively, the "Platform").

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access or use the Platform. By using the Platform, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described in this Privacy Policy.

This Privacy Policy applies to all users of the Platform, including job seekers, employers, accommodation providers, and visitors. If you are using the Platform on behalf of a company or other legal entity, you represent that you have the authority to bind that entity to this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide to Us

We collect information that you provide directly to us when you:

• Create an Account: When you register for an account, we collect your name, email address, password, and nationality.
• Complete Your Profile: When you complete your profile, we may collect additional information such as your profile picture, contact information, location, work experience, education, skills, and preferences.
• Verify Your Identity: For security and trust purposes, we require users to verify their identity by uploading a government-issued ID (passport, driver's license, or national ID card).
• Apply for Jobs: When you apply for jobs, we collect your application details, cover letters, resumes, and any other information you provide in your application.
• List Accommodations: If you list accommodations, we collect details about the property, including location, pricing, availability, and photos.
• Make Payments: When you make payments, we collect payment information, including credit card details, billing address, and transaction history.
• Communicate with Us: When you contact us, we collect the information you provide in your communications, including emails and support requests.

2.2 Information We Collect Automatically

When you use the Platform, we automatically collect certain information, including:

• Device Information: We collect information about the device you use to access the Platform, including device type, operating system, browser type, and device identifiers.
• Log Information: We collect log information when you use the Platform, including access times, pages viewed, IP address, and the page you visited before navigating to our Platform.
• Location Information: With your consent, we may collect precise location information from your device.
• Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies and similar technologies to collect information about your browsing behavior, preferences, and how you interact with the Platform.
• Usage Information: We collect information about your interactions with the Platform, including the content you view, the searches you conduct, and the features you use.

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third parties, including:

• Social Media Platforms: If you choose to link your account to a social media platform, we may receive information from that platform, such as your profile information and connections.
• Business Partners: We may receive information about you from our business partners, such as job posting sites, accommodation booking platforms, or payment processors.
• References: If you provide references as part of a job application, we may collect information from those references about your work experience and qualifications.
• Public Sources: We may collect information about you from publicly available sources, such as government databases, public records, and social media profiles.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for various purposes, including to:

3.1 Automated Decision-Making

We may use automated decision-making processes in the following situations:

• Matching job seekers with appropriate job listings based on their profile and preferences
• Screening job applications against job requirements
• Detecting and preventing fraudulent activities
• Determining eligibility for certain premium features

You have the right to request human intervention in any automated decision-making process that significantly affects you.

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

4.1 With Other Users

Depending on your role and actions on the Platform, certain information may be shared with other users:

• Job Seekers: When you apply for a job, the employer will receive your profile information, application details, resume, and contact information.
• Employers: When you post a job, job seekers may see your company profile, job listings, and contact information.
• Accommodation Providers: When you list an accommodation, users may see your listing details, property information, and contact information.
• Community Members: When you participate in community features, other users may see your profile information, posts, and comments.

4.2 With Service Providers

We may share your information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, such as:

• Payment processors to process transactions
• Cloud storage providers to store data
• Analytics providers to analyze user behavior
• Email service providers to send communications
• Identity verification providers to verify user identities
• Customer support providers to assist with inquiries

These service providers are contractually obligated to use your information only as directed by us and in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

4.3 For Legal Reasons

We may disclose your information if we believe it is necessary to:

• Comply with applicable laws, regulations, legal processes, or governmental requests
• Enforce our Terms and Conditions, including investigating potential violations
• Detect, prevent, or address fraud, security, or technical issues
• Protect against harm to the rights, property, or safety of AussieStart, our users, or the public

4.4 Business Transfers

If AussieStart is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of its assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any change in ownership or uses of your information via email or prominent notice on the Platform.

4.5 With Your Consent

We may share your information with third parties when you have given us your consent to do so.

5. Data Security

We take the security of your information seriously and use appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information against unauthorized or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction, or damage.

These measures include:

• Encrypting sensitive information such as passwords and payment details
• Implementing access controls to limit access to your information
• Regularly reviewing and updating our security practices
• Training our employees on data protection and security
• Using secure servers and data centers

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. Therefore, while we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

5.1 Your Role in Security

You also play a role in protecting your information. You should:

• Create a strong password and keep it confidential
• Log out of your account when using shared devices
• Be cautious about sharing personal information with other users
• Report any suspicious activities or security concerns to us immediately

6. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

The criteria used to determine our retention periods include:

• How long the information is needed to provide our services and operate our business
• Whether the information is sensitive
• Whether we have a legal obligation to keep the information
• Whether retention is advisable in light of our legal position (such as for statutes of limitations, litigation, or regulatory investigations)

When we no longer need your information, we will securely delete or anonymize it.

7. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information.

7.1 Account Information

You can access and update your account information at any time by logging into your account and accessing your profile settings.

7.2 Data Subject Rights

You may have the following rights:

• Access: You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Rectification: You can ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete information about you.
• Erasure: You can ask us to delete your personal information in certain circumstances.
• Restriction: You can ask us to restrict the processing of your information in certain circumstances.
• Data Portability: You can ask for a copy of your information in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
• Objection: You can object to our processing of your information in certain circumstances.
• Withdraw Consent: Where we process your information based on your consent, you can withdraw your consent at any time.

To exercise these rights, please contact us at privacy@aussiestart.com. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

7.3 Communication Preferences

You can manage your communication preferences by:

• Updating your notification settings in your account
• Clicking the "unsubscribe" link in marketing emails
• Contacting us directly to opt out of specific communications

Please note that even if you opt out of marketing communications, we may still send you important service-related messages.

7.4 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Most web browsers are set to accept cookies by default. You can usually change your browser settings to remove or reject cookies. Please note that removing or rejecting cookies could affect the availability and functionality of our Platform.

8. International Data Transfers

AussieStart is based in Australia, and we process and store information in Australia and other countries where our service providers operate. These countries may have data protection laws that are different from those in your country.

When we transfer your information to other countries, we will ensure that:

• The transfer is to a country that provides an adequate level of protection for personal information, as determined by relevant data protection authorities
• Appropriate safeguards, such as standard contractual clauses, are in place
• You have given your consent to the transfer
• The transfer is necessary for the performance of a contract between you and us or for the implementation of pre-contractual measures
• The transfer is necessary for the conclusion or performance of a contract concluded in your interest between us and another party
• The transfer is necessary for important reasons of public interest, to establish, exercise, or defend legal claims, or to protect your vital interests

By using the Platform, you consent to the transfer of your information to countries outside your country of residence, including Australia, which may have different data protection rules than those in your country.

9. Children's Privacy

The Platform is not directed to individuals under the age of 18, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under the age of 18, we will promptly delete that information.

If you believe that we have collected information from a child under the age of 18, please contact us at privacy@aussiestart.com.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated Privacy Policy on the Platform
• Sending an email to registered users
• Displaying a prominent notice on the Platform

The date at the top of this Privacy Policy indicates when it was last updated. Your continued use of the Platform after the changes take effect constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact our Data Protection Officer at:

• Email: privacy@aussiestart.com
• Postal Address: AussieStart Pty Ltd, 123 Market Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia / no real adress - coming soon
• Phone: coming soon

For users in the European Union, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.